Rep. Lowe: Medical Care Should Be Prioritized in County, State Facilities

OKLAHOMA CITY — State Rep. Jason Lowe, D-OKC, released the following statement after a 65-year-old woman died in the custody of the Oklahoma County Jail.

“Our correctional facilities have an obligation to keep the people in their care safe and alive,” Lowe said. “In all cases, health care should be prioritized — especially mental health care. Many of these people are innocent and awaiting trial, and even if they aren’t, the way we treat people in our care speaks to who we are as people. What is taking place in facilities across our state, especially at the Oklahoma County Jail, is unacceptable and must change.

“I ask our citizens to hold elected leaders at all levels accountable for the damage these poor conditions and lack of immediate medical care in correctional facilities across the state are causing to our communities.”

Several OKC representatives signed on in support of Lowe’s Statement:

Rep. Forrest Bennett
Rep. José Cruz
Rep. Andy Fugate
Rep. Cyndi Munson
Rep. Ajay Pittman
Rep. Mauree Turner